Plastic lay-down handle

ABSTRACT

A novel handle formed of a suitable plastic material which will open out flat when not in use is adapted to be secured to a case, box, luggage, or other object to be carried, by means of rivets or other suitable attaching means. The handle includes a pair of gripping members integral with an intermediate flat base and joined by grooved or narrowed hinge portions so as to allow the gripping members to open out in the same plane as the base when not in use, and when used, folded or hinged to a position with the gripping portions converging and meeting at their outer edges. The base has openings for securing means to join the handle to the article to be carried and the gripping members having elongated openings to receive the fingers of the user.

Anderson [15] 3,656,205 [451 Apr. 18, 1972 [54] PLASTIC LAY-DOWN HANDLE [72] Inventor: Ralph F. Anderson, Rockford, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc.,

Peoria, 111.

[22] Filed: July22, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 57,232

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,382,526 5/1968 Ryan et al ..16/l10 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France ..229/52 A 1,401,394 4/1965 France ..l6/l50 823,159 10/1937 France Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman Att0rney-Wilson & Geppert [5 7] ABSTRACT A novel handle formed of a suitable plastic material whichwill open out flat when'not in use is adapted to be secured to a case, box, luggage, or other object to be carried, by means of rivets or other suitable attaching means. The handle includes a pair of gripping members integral with an intermediate flat base and joined by grooved or narrowed hinge portions so as to allow the gripping members to open out in the same plane as the base when not in use, and when used, folded or hinged to a position with the gripping portions converging and meeting at their outer edges. The base has openings for securing means to join the handle to the article to be carried and the gripping members having elongated openings to receive the fingers of the user.

6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRISIHZZ 3,656,205

sum 2 [IF 2 PLASTIC LAY-DOWN HANDLE The present invention relates to a novel handle to be secured to an article to be carried and more particularly to a handle formed of a suitable plastic material which will open out flat when not in use.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel handle construction which will open out flat when not in use. The handle includes a central base portion having spaced openings for suitable securing means and oppositely extending gripping portions normally laying flat in the same plane as the base portion. The gripping portions are joined to the base portion by thinner parallel hinge portions defining the longitudinal edges of the base portion.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a handle construction formed of a suitable plastic material. The

plastic material for the base portion and the gripping portions of the handle is fairly rigid, while the plastic material is grooved to provide thinner hinge portions which are flexible to allow the folding of the gripping portions upward to fon'n a convenient handle to be grasped by the user.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a plastic handle where the base portion has openings to receive suitable securing or anchoring means, such as rivets, and the openings and fasteners can be covered to enhance the appearance of the handle. One form of covering is a snap-on metal cover, and another form is a contrasting insert received in a recess in the base portion.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a plastic handle shown in its opened out position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle of FIG. 1 shown in its elevated carrying position.

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of one end of the handle.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second handle embodiment shown in its carrying position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the bandle of FIG. 5 folded out flat.

FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view of one end of the handle of FIGS. 5 and 6.

. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third handle embodiment in carrying position but with an insert omitted therefrom.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one gripping portion of the handle.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of thehandle folded flat with the insert in place.

FIG. 11 is an exploded cross sectional view taken on the line 111lofFIG. 10.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings wherein are shown three embodiments of the present invention, FIGS. 1 through 4 disclose one embodiment comprising a lay-down handle 10 adapted to be attached to a case, box, luggage or other object 11 to be carried or transported easily from place to place. The handle 10 is formed of a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene, which is substantially rigid for the handle, but will be flexible in thinner sections for proper hinging action. The handle is formed as a single integral piece of plastic material having a central base portion 12 and a pair of parallel handle gripping portions 13,13 separated from the base portion by parallel hinge portions 14,14.

The base portion 12 is generally rectangular and provided with a pair of spaced openings 15,15 adjacent the opposite ends thereof for suitable securing means, such as the rivets 16,16 to secure the base portion onto the case 11. Each handle gripping portion 13 is generally rectangular with outer rounded corners 17,17 and an elongated opening 18 therein provided with a sinuous or undulated edge 19 to conformably receive the fingers of and enhance the grip of the user. Each hinge 14 is formed by the formation of an elongated groove or channel 21 in the material to provide a substantially thinner flexible portion 22 acting as the hinge. The channel 21 is terminated at each end by an end wall 23, and the channel has an inclined inner side wall 24 adjacent the base portion 12.

To assemble, the case 11 has a pair of openings (not shown) aligned with the openings 15,15 to receive the rivets 16,16 and secure the handle to the case 11. In use, the handle is normally in the flat position as shown in FIG. 1. When the object is to be carried, the gripping portions 13,13 are folded upward about the hinges 14,14 so that the gripping portions converge from the base portion 12 with the outer edges 25,25 of the gripping portions 13,13 in substantially abutting relation (see FIG. 2). The user can then insert the fingers of his hand into the elongated generally aligned openings l8,18. Release of the gripping portions 13,13 allow the end walls 23,23 and the inherent memory of the plastic material to return the handle to its opened out position of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 disclose a second embodiment of handle 10 with parts identical to those in the first embodiment having the same numeral with a superscript a. The handle 10" includes a central generally rectangular base portion 12" with spaced openings 15 and a pair of gripping portions 13 joined to the base portion by hinges 14. Each gripping portion 13 has outer rounded corners l7,17 and an elongated opening 18 therein with a sinuous or undulated edge 19", and each hinge 14 is formed by a channel 21" providing a thinner flexible connecting portion and having opposite end walls 23",23" and an inclined side wall 24 adjacent the base portion 12.

At each end of the base portion 12 is formed an elongated indentation 26 adjacent the bottom surface thereof for securement of a metal cover 29. To reinforce the base portion 12 of u the handle 10, a rectangular steel plate 27 is superposed on top of the base portion. The plate 27 has spaced openings 28,28 aligned with the openings l5,15 of the base portion to receive suitable fasteners, such as rivets l6,16", to secure the handle to an object 11 to be carried. The cover 29 is a generally domed hollow member with depending sides 31 and depending ends 32 formed with inwardly projecting nibs 33 to be projected or snapped into the recesses or indentations 26.

To assemble, the base portion 12 is placed on the object to be carried with the openings 15 aligned with suitable openings (not shown) in the object 11. The reinforcement plate 27 is positioned on the base portion 12 with its openings 28 aligned with the openings 15. Rivets 16 are inserted into the aligned openings 15 and 28 and secured to the object 11. Then the cover 29 is positioned over the plate 27 and the base portion 12" and pressed or urged downward until the nibs 33 snap into the recesses or indentations 26 to retain the cover on the handle. The cover 29 completely hides and prevents access to the rivets 16 or the reinforcement plate 27. Use of the handle 10 is substantially identical to that described for the first embodiment of handle 10.

FIGS. 8 through 11 disclose a third embodiment of a carrying handle 10" with parts identical to those in the first embodiment having the same numeral with the superscript b. This handle 10 is secured to an object or case 11 to be carried by suitable securing means, such as rivets 116". The handle 10" includes a central generally rectangular base portion 12 having a rectangular recess 34 (FIG. 8 and 11) therein covering a substantial area of the base portion and adapted to receive an inlay or insert 35 (FIGS. 10 and 11) which may be of a contrasting color or texture. The bottom 36 (FIG. 8) of the recess 34 includes the spaced openings 15" for the rivets; each opening being slightly counterbored at 37 (FIG. 10) so that the rivet head fits flush in the recess bottom .36. The inlay or insert 35 may be made of plastic or other suitable material and is secured in the recess by an appropriate adhesive or other suitable means.

Joining the base portion 12 by hinges 14" are a pair of gripping portions 13,13 which have inclined or converging end edges 38,38 and a slightly curved. or convex edge 39. Elongated openings 41 are formed in the gripping portions with slightly curved edges and rounded corners. The hinges 14" are formed by generally V-shaped parallel grooves 42 (FIG. 11) extending longitudinally completely along the handle to provide a thinner integral flexible portion of the plastic material.

To assemble, the base portion 12" is positioned on the object 11 to be carried with the openings 15' aligned with like openings (not shown) in the object. The rivets 16 are inserted in the openings 15 with the rivet heads received in the counterbores 37 and fastened to the object 11". The inlay or insert 35 is then suitably affixed in the recess 34 and covers the rivets. The handle is utilized in the same manner as the first two embodiments.

While plastic handles of particular and effective shapes has been shown and described by way of illustration, it is not my intent or desire to unnecessarily restrict the scope or the utility of the improved features by virtue of these illustrative embodiments.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. A plastic handle adapted to be secured to an object to be carried, comprising a one-piece handle having a central base portion and a pair of generally parallel gripping portions joined by a pair of integral generally parallel hinges, and means to secure said base portion to the object to be carried, said hinges each including an elongated groove formed along said base portion to provide a thinner flexible integral portion acting as the hinge between the base portion and a gripping portion, each groove being substantially channelshaped along the entire length of the handle and terminating at each end in an end wall in an edge of the handle, each groove having a generally flat base and an inclined side wall adjacent the central base portion.

2. A plastic handle as set forth in claim 1, in which each gripping portion has an elongated opening with a sinuous gripping edge for ease of gripping by the fingers of the user, said handle being normally opened out with the gripping portions lying in the same plane as the base portion, the gripping portions being folded upward about said hinges to a carrying position with the gripping portions converging to abut at the outer edges thereof.

3. A plastic handle adapted to be secured to an object to be carried, comprising a one-piece handle having a central base 1 portion and a pair of generally parallel gripping portions joined by a pair of integral generally parallel hinges, each hinge including an elongated groove formed along the base portion to provide a thinner flexible integral portion acting as a hinge between the base portion and a gripping portion, means to secure said base portion to the object to be carried, and a hollow cover having depending sides and depending ends, an inwardly extending nib on each depending end, said base portion having an indentation at each end receiving one of the nibs so that the cover can be snapped onto and cover said base portion and the securing means.

4. A plastic handle adapted to be secured to an object to be carried, comprising a one-piece handle having a central base portion and a pair of generally parallel gripping portions joined by a pair of integral generally parallel hinges, means to secure said base portion to the object to be carried, said base portion having a pair of spaced openings adapted to be positioned in alignment with openings in the object to be carried and receiving said securing means, and a reinforcement plate having openings aligned with said openings in and superposed over said base portion, said securing means extending through said aligned sets of openings.

5. A plastic handle as set forth in claim 4, including a hollow cover having depending sides and depending ends, an inwardly extending nib on each depending end, and said base portion having an indentation at each end receiving one of said nibs so that the cover can be snapped onto and cover said base portion, said reinforcement plate and said securing means.

6. A plastic handle adapted to be secured to an object to be carried, comprising a one-piece handle having a central base portion and a pair of generally parallel gripping portions joined by a pair of integral generally parallel hinges, means to secure the base portion to the object to be carried, said base portion having a pair of spaced openings adapted to be positioned in alignment with openings in the object to be carried and receiving said securing means, and an elongated recess formed in the top surface thereof with said openings positioned within the recess, and an insert adapted to be secured in said recess and covering said spaced openings and said securing means. 

1. A plastic handle adapted to be secured to an object to be carried, comprising a one-piece handle having a central base portion and a pair of generally parallel gripping portions joined by a pair of integral generally parallel hinges, and means to secure said base portion to the object to be carried, said hinges each including an elongated groove formed along said base portion to provide a thinner flexible integral portion acting as the hinge between the base portion and a gripping portion, each groove being substantially channel-shaped along the entire length of the handle and terminating at each end in an end wall in an edge of the handle, each groove having a generally flat base and an inclined side wall adjacent the central base portion.
 2. A plastic handle as set forth in claim 1, in which each gripping portion has an elongated opening with a sinuous gripping edge for ease of gripping by the fingers of the user, said handle being nOrmally opened out with the gripping portions lying in the same plane as the base portion, the gripping portions being folded upward about said hinges to a carrying position with the gripping portions converging to abut at the outer edges thereof.
 3. A plastic handle adapted to be secured to an object to be carried, comprising a one-piece handle having a central base portion and a pair of generally parallel gripping portions joined by a pair of integral generally parallel hinges, each hinge including an elongated groove formed along the base portion to provide a thinner flexible integral portion acting as a hinge between the base portion and a gripping portion, means to secure said base portion to the object to be carried, and a hollow cover having depending sides and depending ends, an inwardly extending nib on each depending end, said base portion having an indentation at each end receiving one of the nibs so that the cover can be snapped onto and cover said base portion and the securing means.
 4. A plastic handle adapted to be secured to an object to be carried, comprising a one-piece handle having a central base portion and a pair of generally parallel gripping portions joined by a pair of integral generally parallel hinges, means to secure said base portion to the object to be carried, said base portion having a pair of spaced openings adapted to be positioned in alignment with openings in the object to be carried and receiving said securing means, and a reinforcement plate having openings aligned with said openings in and superposed over said base portion, said securing means extending through said aligned sets of openings.
 5. A plastic handle as set forth in claim 4, including a hollow cover having depending sides and depending ends, an inwardly extending nib on each depending end, and said base portion having an indentation at each end receiving one of said nibs so that the cover can be snapped onto and cover said base portion, said reinforcement plate and said securing means.
 6. A plastic handle adapted to be secured to an object to be carried, comprising a one-piece handle having a central base portion and a pair of generally parallel gripping portions joined by a pair of integral generally parallel hinges, means to secure the base portion to the object to be carried, said base portion having a pair of spaced openings adapted to be positioned in alignment with openings in the object to be carried and receiving said securing means, and an elongated recess formed in the top surface thereof with said openings positioned within the recess, and an insert adapted to be secured in said recess and covering said spaced openings and said securing means. 